Optical Design Engineer

Texas Instruments•Dallas, TX

3d•$102,500 - $153,500

About The Position

Texas Instruments is seeking an Optical Design Engineer to lead technical and business development for DLP Industrial markets. The role focuses on the overall optical system for DLP devices, evaluation modules, and systems, combining optical engineering expertise with market insight and strategic planning. The engineer will identify technology trends and product gaps, then collaborate across engineering, marketing, and product teams to develop plans that address them. The position designs optical systems and reference designs for DLP-based industrial platforms and provides technical expertise throughout the product lifecycle. It involves work across hardware and software and with customers and suppliers to optimize device performance in specific systems. The engineer will support applications such as maskless lithography, 3D printing, machine vision, structured-light 3D scanning, spectroscopy, and optical networking, and will interface with leading system manufacturers worldwide on high-visibility projects with direct revenue impact.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Optics/Optical Engineering, Physics, Electrical Engineering, ECE, Computer Engineering, or a related field.
At least 2 years of relevant engineering experience or research in optical system design or applied optics.

Nice To Haves

Experience with optical design software such as Ansys Zemax OpticStudio, CODE V, FRED, LightTools, Lumerical, or equivalent.
Hands-on experience designing and characterizing illumination or projection optical systems.
Familiarity with digital micromirror (DMD), spatial light modulator (SLM), or phase light modulator (PLM) optical architecture and system integration.
Knowledge of diffraction optics, wavefront analysis, or colorimetry.
Experience with optical metrology and laboratory measurement techniques.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
Ability to work in teams and collaborate effectively across functions.
Strong verbal and written communication skills.
Ability to take initiative and drive for results.
Strong time management skills to enable on-time project delivery.
Capability and willingness to travel worldwide.

Responsibilities

Design and optimize illumination and projection optical systems for DLP-based industrial applications, including maskless lithography, resin 3D printing, machine vision, structured-light 3D scanning, spectroscopy, and optical networking.
Develop and maintain optical system simulation models using tools such as Zemax/OpticStudio and/or FRED to evaluate performance, stray light, tolerance, diffraction efficiency, and optical throughput.
Create reference optical designs, design guidelines, and application notes to help customers accelerate system development and reduce time to market.
Provide direct customer technical support on optical system integration, including reviewing optical designs, troubleshooting hardware in the laboratory, and resolving field application issues.
Collaborate with DMD product and applications teams to define optical requirements for new device generations, evaluate prototype DMDs, and support product characterization through ramp.
Build and operate optical test benches to measure and characterize DMD optical performance, illumination uniformity, wavefront, diffraction patterns, and colorimetry.
Support diffraction modeling, colorimetry analysis, and computer-generated hologram (CGH) development for new product and application development.
Prepare technical documentation, application briefs, and presentations for customers and internal business and engineering stakeholders.
Identify technology trends, map them to product gaps, and collaborate with engineering, marketing, and product teams to develop plans to address them.
Select and qualify active and passive optical components, develop benchmarking systems and performance models, and implement test procedures usable across devices and platforms.